CA2047964A1

CA2047964A1 - Automotive fuel dispensing nozzle

Info

Publication number: CA2047964A1
Application number: CA002047964A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Rainer Weichel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Oscar Gossler KG GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1990-07-26
Filing date: 1991-07-26
Publication date: 1992-01-27
Also published as: US5224525A; DE9011041U1; EP0468384A1; CS233391A3; JPH05132098A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A nozzle for use on a gasoline or diesel fuel hose includes a tubular housing with a cover on one end thereof for connecting the housing to a source of fuel under pressure and an outlet pipe on the other end of the housing for discharging the fuel into a tank, a main valve in the housing for controlling the flow of fuel between the coupler and the outlet pipe, springs biasing the main valve to a closed position, a trigger on the housing for opening the main valve, a control mechanism including a detent extending between the trigger and the main valve for opening the latter, and a vacuum actuating system connecting the control mechanism to a pressure tube in the outlet pipe for normally locking the detent to the trigger, so that the pair move together as a single valve operating lever, and for releasing the detent permitting closing of the valve. A resilient bellows-type sleeve around the outlet pipe contains a rod for opening a safety shut-off valve which permits opening of the main valve when the sleeve is pressed against the neck of a gas tank to achieve an air tight seal. In the event that the pressure in the sleeve exceeds a predetermined limit, the safety and consequently the main valve close.

Description

2Q~79~

This invention relates to a nozzle, and in particular to a nozzle of the type used to dispense fuel at a gasoline or service station.
A nozzle of the type described herein is disclosed by published European Patent Application 0 239 193. The nozzle described in the European patent publication includes a main valve for controlling the flow of liquid through the casing, and a spring loaded, non-return or one-way valve between the casing and an outlet pipe. The one-way valve ensures that the casing is full of liquid when the valve is closed which makes the nozzle somewhat heavy. Moreover, the nozzle is, of necessity, relatively large and expensive to produce.
The object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple nozzle for use on a solid wall hose which is lightweight, compact and relatively inexpensive to produce.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a fuel dispensing nozzle comprising tubular housing means; coupler means on one end of said housing means for connecting the nozzle to a source of fuel under pressure; outlet pipe means on the other end of said housing means for discharging the fuel from the nozzle; first passage means extending through said housing means between said coupler means and said outlet pipe means; main valve means in said housing means for controlling the flow of fuel between said coupler means and said outlet pipe means; first spring means biasing said main ~0~7~64 valve means to a closed position; trigger means on said housing means for opening said main valve means; and control means in said housing means between said coupler means and said main valve means for closing said main valve means when fuel covers the outer free end of said outlet pipe means, said control means including detent means normally defining a main valve means engaging end of said trigger means; plunger means slidable in said housing means for causing said detent means to release said main valve means, whereby said first spring means returns said main valve means to the closed position, and actuating means in fluid communication with said free end of said outlet pipe means for moving said plùnger means in response to a pressure change caused by fuel covering said free end of the outlet pipe means.
The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a nozzle in accordance with the present invention;
Figures 2A to 2C are longitudinal sectional views of a control mechanism used in the nozzle of Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a cross section taken generally along line III-III of Fig. 2B;
Figures 4A to 4C are longitudinal sectional views of a second form of a control mechanism for use in the nozzle of Fig. 1: and

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Figure S is a cross section taken generally along line V-V of Fig. 4B.
Referring to Fig. 1, the nozzle assembly of the present invention includes an elongated tubular housing 1, with a threaded inlet end 2 and an outlet end carrying an outlet pipe 3~ Liquid entering the housing 1, flows through a passage 5, which is connected to a supply of liquid fuel (gasoline or diesel) under pressure, a valve generally indicated at 6 and an outlet passage 7 which contains one end of the pipe 3.
The valve 6 includes a rod or stem 9 slidably mounted in bushings 10 and 11. Helical springs 12 and 13 bias the rod 9 upwardly for normally maintaining a generally frusto-conical valve body 15 against a shoulder or valve seat 16 in a tubular casing 17. An annular recess or passage 19 is provided in the valve seat 16. A second annular passage 20 communicating with the passage 19, is located at the outer bottom end of the casing 17. The valve body 15 is mounted on a guide rod 22 which extends downwardly from a cover 23 through the body 15 and into a cylindrical recess in the upper end of the stem 9. A helical spring 26 is mounted on the lower end of the rod 22 in the recess for biasing the body 15 against the valve seat 16 even when the plunger moves downwardly.
The valve stem 9 is moved downwardly by a trigger 27 in the form of an elongated lever, the outer free end 29 of which can be releasably retained in a valve open position by a 2~736~

conventional spring loaded latch mechanism 30. The bifurcated inner end 31 (Figs. 2C and 3) of the trigger 27 is pivotally connected to the bottom end of a plunger 33 of a control mechanism generally indicated at 34 by bolts 35 (Fig. 3). The sides of the trigger end 31 converge for pivotally supporting a detent 37. The detent 37, which is mounted on a pin 38 extending between the sides of the trigger end 31, extends through a slot 40 (Fig. 1) in the casing 1 into a notch 41 in the lower end of the plunger 9. Thus, upward pressure on the trigger 27 causes rotation of the detent 37 followed by downward movement of the plunger 33 against the bias of the springs 12 and 13.
The control mechanism 34, which is intended to automatically close the valve 6, i.e. automatically terminate the flow of liquid through the nozzle assembly when the tank is full, includes a sleeve or bushing 42 mounted in the housing 1 for slidably receiving the plunger 33. The plunger 33 is biased upwardly to the rest position (Figs. 2A and 2B) by a helical spring 43 coaxial with and sandwiched between the plunger 33 and the bushing 42. A slot 44 in the lower end of the plunger 33 receives the outer end 46 of the detent 37.
Such end 46 is freely movable in the plunger 33. A pin 47 extends across the slot 44 for retaining the outer end 46 of the detent 37 in the slot 44.
The plunger 33 is releasably retained in one position in the bushing 42 by a latch, defined by balls 49 2~7964 (one shown) slidable in openings 50 in the plunger. The plunger 33 can be moved between a latch position (Figs. 2A
and 2B) and a release position (Fig. 2C). In the latch position the balls 49 extend out of the plunger 42 into engagement with a ramp defined by a ring 52 on a shoulder 53 in the bushing 42. A pin 55 with a small diameter bottom end 56, a frusto-conical shoulder 57 and a larger diameter top end 58 retains the balls 49 in engagement with the ring 52.
When the pin 55 is moved upwardly, the balls 49 are free to move inwardly, releasing the plunger 33 for downward movement in the bushing 42. The head 59 of the pin 55 is connected to the center of a diaphragm 60, which is mounted in a cavity in the housing 1 above the bushing 42. The cavity is closed by a cover 62. A spring 63 above the diaphragm 60 biases the pin 55 and the diaphragm 60 downwardly.
As shown in Fig. 1, the chamber 64 between the diaphragm 60 and the cover 62 is connected to the annular passage 20 by a bore 66. The passage 20 is connected to a chamber 67 in the bottom of a safety shut off device generally indicated at 69. The device 69 is defined by a stepped cylindrical recess in the casing 1 containing a ball valve 70, a slide 71, a diaphragm 73 carrying a permanent magnet 74, and a spring 75 biasing the diaphragm 73 and magnet 74 downwardly.
The valve 70 includes a cylindrical body 77 above the chamber 67 containing a central hole 78, which is normally closed by a ball 79. The chamber 67 is connected to the passage 20 by a 20~'19~

bore 80. A partition 81 extends across the recess defining the top wall of a chamber 82 above the ball valve. An annular socket 83 extending downwardly from the center of the partition maintains the ball 79 aligned with the hole 78.
The diaphragm 73, which carries a holder 84 for the permanent magnet 74 i9 mounted in the larger diameter upper end of the recess. The diaphragm 73 and the partition 81 define a slide chamber 85. The diaphragm 73 is retained in position by a cover 86. The diaphragm 73 and the magnet 7~
are biased towards the ball 79 by the spring 75. The slide 71 normally holds the magnet at a position remote from the ball 79, so that the latter closes the hole 78.
A bellows-shaped resilient sleeve 87 is mounted on the outlet end of the casing 1 around most of the length of the outlet pipe 3. The inner end of the sleeve 87 is in fluid communication with a gas passage 88 extending through the casing 1. The passage 88 carries gas fumes through the casing 1 for discharge from the liquid fuel inlet end thereof. A
bore 89 also connects the area between the outlet pipe 3 and the sleeve 87 to the slide chamber 85. The large outer free end 90 of the sleeve 87 defines a seal when the nozzle is used for filling a fuel tank (not shown). A rod 91 extends around the interior of the sleeve 87 and then straight inwardly to the slide 71. Thus, when the sleeve 87 is compressed during filling, the rod 91 moves the slide 71 to permit the magnet 74 to move towards the ball 79. The ball 79 moves away 20~796~
from the hole 78 to open the ball valve. The chamber 82 is connected to an annular passage 93 in the housing 1 around the inner end of the outlet tube 3 by a bore 94. The passage 93 provides fluid communication with a tube 95 in the outlet pipe

3 on one side thereof. The ends of the tube 95 are closed and ports 96 and 97 are provided near the inner and discharge ends, respectively of the pipe 3. The port 96 communicates with the passage 93, and the port 97 opens to the atmosphere.
Thus, when the fuel tank is filled, the liquid fuel closes the port 97 to close the valve 6 in the manner described hereinafter.
The control mechanism of Figs. 4A to 5 is, in effect, the reverse of the mechanism of Figs. 2A and 3. The mechanism of Figs. 4A to 5 includes a fixed, tubular guide rod 98 in the housing 1 for slidably supporting a sleeve 99 with a partially closed bottom end 100 and an open top end 101. A
helical spring 102 biases the sleeve 99 downwardly against an arcuate end 103 of a control detent 104. The detent 104 is pivotally mounted on a pin 105 extending between the sides 107 of the bifurcated inner end of a trigger 108 similar to the trigger 27 of Fig. 1. The other end 110 of the detent 104 functions in the same manner as the inner end of the detent 37. The trigger 108 is pivotally mounted on a pin 111 extending between the sides 112 of the handle portion of the housing 1.

20~796~
The arcuate end 103 of the detent 104 is normally maintained in engagement with the pin 111 by the sleeve 99.
Movement of the sleeve 99 is controlled by balls 112 ~one shown) extending out of holes 113 in the rod 98 into engagement with the top end 101 of the sleeve. The balls 112 are normally held in the outer or latched position (Figs. 4A
and 4B) by a pin 114 similar to the pin 55 of Figs. 2A to 3.
The head 116 of the pin 114 is connected to a diaphragm 117 mounted in a recess 118 closed by a cover 120. A spring 121 biases the diaphragm 117 downwardly. The chamber 123 between the diaphragm 117 and the cover 120 is connected to the passage 20 in the valve 6 (Fig. 1) by a bore (not shown).
In use, the nozzle is pressed against the neck surrounding the fuel tank opening to compress the concertina-type sleeve 87. As described hereinafter in greater detail, if the nozzle is not inserted into the neck of the container a distance sufficient to effect a gas-tight seal between the free end 90 of the sleeve 87 and the neck, the nozzle cannot be operated, i.e. the valve 6 cannot be opened to dispense fuel. In order to be able to open the valve 6, the sleeve 87 must be compressed so that the rod 91 pushes the slide 71.
The spring 75 moves the permanent magnet 74 close to the valve 70, whereby the ball 79 moves away from the hole 78 to open the ball valve.
When the trigger 27 is pulled upwardly, it rotates around the pin 47 (counterclockwise in Fig. 1). The pin 47 2~7~
- ensures that the detent 37 moves with the trigger 27 from the rest position (Fig. 2A) to the valve opening position (Fig.
2B). In effect, the pin 47 causes the detent to perform as an extension of the trigger 27, so that rotation of the latter pushes the valve stem 9 downwardly against the bias of the springs 12 and 13. The pressure of the fuel entering the passage 5 pushes the valve body 15 downwardly against the bias of the spring 26 to open the valve so that fuel can pass through the passage 7 and the outlet pipe 3 to the fuel tank.
During dispensing of fluid the chamber 64 between the diaphragm 60 and the cover 62 is vented to the atmosphere via bores 66, 80 and 94, passage 20 in the valve 6, ball valve 69 and the tube 95. When the fuel fills the tank sufficiently to block the port 97, fuel passing through the valve 6 creates a partial vacuum in the chamber 64. Thus, the pin 55 moves upwardly permitting the balls 49 to enter the openings 50, and forcing the plunger 33 downwardly against the bias of the spring 43. As the plunger 33 moves downwardly, the springs 12 and 13 push the valve stem 9 upwardly rotating the detent 37, and closing the valve 6.
When the trigger 27 is released, the spring 43 returns the trigger to the rest position (Figs. 1 and 2A).
Simultaneously, the diaphragm spring 63 and the pin 55 are returned to the rest or start position, in which the balls 49 lock the plunger 33 and the sleeve 42 together, so that liquid 20~173~4 can again be dispensed from the nozzle by operation of the trigger 27~
As mentioned above, a prerequisite for dispensing fuel is that the outlet pipe 3 be inserted a sufficient distance into a fuel tank neck that an air tight connection is formed between the neck and the end 90 of the sleeve 87. With the sleeve 87 compressed and the ball valve 70 open, the partial vacuum described above cannot be formed since the chamber 64 in the control mechanism 34 is vented to the atmosphere. When the nozzle is removed from the neck of the fuel tank, the resilient sleeve 87 returns to its rest -position (Fig. 1) and the slide 71 raises the permanent magnet 74 against the bias of the spring 75. Consequently, because of the reduction in magnetic attraction, the ball 79 drops to close the valve 70. Under these conditions, fuel cannot be dispensed, because the broken connection between the passage 19 in the valve 6 and the atmosphere via the tube 95 permits the formation of a partial vacuum in the chamber 64 of the control mechanism 34.
In the event that pressure in the gas return system builds up beyond a predetermined limit, the flow of liquid fuel is also stopped. For example, if the pressure in the passage between the outlet tube 3 and the sleeve 87 exceeds 250 mm water column pressure, the diaphragm 73 is pushed upwardly to move the magnet 74 away from the ball 79. Thus, the valve 70 is caused to close interrupting the flow of fuel.

, ,' . , ,, , '; '' ' ' ' ' 20~7g61 The above described device, with the main valve downstream of the control mechanism in the direction of liquid flow and closing against the flow, makes it possible to eliminate a one-way valve preventing liquid escaping when the S nozzle is closed or switched off to prevent fuel dispensing.
Thus, it is possible to produce a smaller, less expensive nozzle. The weight of the nozzle is also reduced because of the small volume of liquid in the nozzle at any time. A
compact nozzle is easiee to handle than large nozzles when refuelling motor vehicles. A main valve closing against the current also helps to prevent pressure hammering or pressure surges in the feed system for the nozzle, particularly following automatic shut-off.
The use of a bifurcated lever for the trigger and a detent, which engages the trigger and the valve stem makes it possible to reduce the forces which must be absorbed by the control mechanism and the dimensions of the control mechanism.
By appropriately selecting the pivot points for the trigger and detent, it is a simple matter to match the shut-off behaviour of the nozzle to the composition of the liquid to be dispensed (e.g. gasoline or diesel fuel).

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:

1. A fuel dispensing nozzle comprising tubular housing means; coupler means on one end of said housing means for connecting the nozzle to a source of fuel under pressure;
outlet pipe means on the other end of said housing means for discharging the fuel from the nozzle; first passage means extending through said housing means between said coupler means and said outlet pipe means: main valve means in said housing means for controlling the flow of fuel between said coupler means and said outlet pipe means; first spring means biasing said main valve means to a closed position; trigger means on said housing means for opening said main valve means;
and control means in said housing means between said coupler means and said main valve means for closing said main valve means when fuel covers the outer free end of said outlet pipe means, said control means including detent means normally defining a main valve means engaging end of said trigger means; plunger means slidable in said housing means for causing said detent means to release said main valve means, whereby said first spring means returns said main valve means to the closed position, and actuating means in fluid communication with said free end of said outlet pipe means for moving said plunger means in response to a pressure change caused by fuel covering said free end of the outlet pipe means.

2. A nozzle according to claim 1 including second passage means extending through said housing between said coupler means and said outlet pipe means for carrying gas away from said outlet pipe means; and pressure release means in said second passage means for causing movement of said plunger means to close said main valve means in response to gas pressure at said outlet end above a predetermined level.

3. A nozzle according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes latch means for releasably locking said plunger means in one position in which said detent means engages said valve means to hold said main valve means in the open position; and said actuating means includes first diaphragm means engaging said latch means for controlling movement of said plunger means.

4. A nozzle according to claim 3, wherein said actuating means includes a third gas passage connecting said first diaphragm means to said main valve means; fourth gas passage means connecting said main valve means to said pressure release means; and fifth passage means connecting said pressure release means to said free end of said outlet pipe means, blocking of said fifth passage means and the flow of fuel through said main valve means causing movement of said first diaphragm means to operate said latch means, whereby said detent means releases said main valve means for closing by said first spring means.

5. A nozzle according to claim 4, including second spring means biasing said latch means to the plunger locking position.

6. A nozzle according to claim 4, wherein said release means includes resilient sleeve means on said housing means around said outlet pipe; ball valve means in said housing means; linkage means connecting said sleeve means to said ball valve means for opening said ball valve means when the resilient sleeve means is compressed during a fuel dispensing operation; second diaphragm means; and sixth passage connecting the area between said sleeve means and said outlet pipe means to said second diaphragm means, whereby said second diaphragm means closes said ball valve means when the pressure in said sixth passage means exceeds said predetermined level.

7. A nozzle according to claim 6, wherein said linkage means includes magnet means connected to said second diaphragm means for opening said ball valve means; slide means connected to said sleeve means permitting movement of said magnet means towards said ball valve means when said sleeve means is compressed during a fuel dispensing operation; and second spring means biasing said second diaphragm means and said magnet means towards said ball valve means, excess pressure in said sixth passage means moving said diaphragm means and magnet means away from said ball valve means to close the latter, whereby said plunger means releases said detent means permitting closing of said main valve means.

8. A nozzle according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said sleeve means is bellows-shaped.